Common DUI Penalties

If you’re arrested for a DUI, chances are high that you’ll face several penalties. The penalty for DUI vary from state to state. In some states, even a first misdemeanor DUI offense requires a small amount of jail time, in addition to the loss of license and a fine. For felony DUI charges, a person can spend up to 3 years in a state prison, and even an additional 3 to 5 when a DUI related accident caused an injury. Underage drinkers who drive face even harsher penalties than ever before, and for those who are charged with a DUI while a minor passenger is in the car, several penalties are handed down. 

Penalties for DUI can include fines, imprisonment, probation and alcohol programs like a stay in a rehabilitation center, outpatient rehab, or even Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous. For any of these charges, a skilled DUI attorney is necessary, especially when there’s the possibility that you can go to jail.

The Range of DUI Penalties

In addition to fines, jail time and other penalties, some states may require a person convicted of a drunk driving offense to install what’s known as an ignition interlock device into their car.  This requires that the driver blow into the device to prove that there is no alcohol present on his or her breath before the car will start. The person with the DUI is required to pay for the cost of installing the device, as well as a lease on the machine.

In some cases, the vehicle driven during the DUI can be impounded and sold, depending on the type of offense.

How Expensive is a DUI Conviction?

If the thought of prison time and having your vehicle sold out from under you sounds like something that would happen to a career drunk driver, think again. Some states have enacted extremely harsh penalties even for first time offenders. So even on a first offense you could pay from hundreds to thousands of dollars in fines, penalties, and ignition interlock device rental.  And it doesn’t stop there.

If you lose your driver’s license—and almost everyone convicted of even a first time DUI charge does for at least a short period of time—then your job may be in jeopardy because of your lack of transportation.  The DUI conviction itself, especially if it’s a felony, can limit your job prospects in the future because it will stay on your permanent criminal record. If your profession involves driving in any capacity, often you will not be able to perform your duties because many companies have policies against hiring drivers or employees who drive on the job at all who have had a single DUI charge against them, no matter how many years have passed since.

You’ll probably need special high-risk insurance for at least a few years after the conviction, and after that your regular car insurance rates will be much higher because of the conviction. The cost of hiring a dui lawyer to fight the charge is far less than you’ll pay if you’re convicted.

Contact one of our experienced drunk driving lawyers in your area today!